FLAP SURGERY FOR SEVERE OPEN FRACTURE OF THE TIBIA

IntroductionWe investigated the usefulness of flap surgery for Gustilo type IIIB and C severe open fracture of the tibia, for which treatment is difficult.Materials & MethodsThe subjects were 16 patients with severe open fracture of the tibia who received a treatment at our division between April 2000 and October 2008. There were 13 males and 3 females, and the mean age at injury was 41.2 years. Radical debridement and temporal external fixation were performed on the day of injury, and soft tissue reconstruction and definitive osteosynthesis were performed within a few days after injury to the best.ResultsThe affected limb was salvaged in all patients. Primary bone healing was obtained in 13 of the 16 patients, and the mean bone healing time was 5.5 months (3–7 months). The patient with delayed bone healing underwent additional bone grafting and achieved bone healing. Concomitant osteomyelitis occurred in 4 of 16 patinets (25%). Leg shortening was observed in 1 patient, but the shortening was only 2 cm. N...